McGrady wanted to leave the Magic and said he would opt out of his contract
after next season. McGrady, who has won the scoring title in each of the last
two seasons, has repeatedly said he would like to leave if the team did not
make a quick improvement. Orlando finished the 2003-04 season with a league-
worst 21-61 record.

The relationship between the franchise and the All-Star guard had worsened
over last season and Orlando became increasingly frustrated with some of
McGrady’s antics. McGrady was criticized for publicly ripping teammates, his
so-so practice habits and his lack of desire to lead the team.

The 25-year-old McGrady spent four seasons with the Magic and averaged 28.0
points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.5 assists per game last year. McGrady, drafted out
of high school by Toronto with the ninth overall pick in the 1997 NBA Draft,
spent his first three campaigns with the Raptors.

For his career, McGrady has posted 21.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.1 assists
per contest and has been named as a member of the All-NBA First Team on two
occasions.

McGrady signed a seven-year, $93 million contact with Orlando as a free agent
in the summer of 2000 with a clause that allowed him to opt out after the
2004-05 season.

Francis, meanwhile, averaged 16.6 points, 6.2 assists and 5.5 rebounds for the
Rockets last season. The former Maryland star will be counted on to resurrect
a slumping Orlando squad. Francis had been a vital cog in the Rockets’
organization, having averaged 19.3 points, 6.4 assists and 6.1 rebounds in
five seasons.

Houston was eliminated in five games by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first
round of the 2003 playoffs, while Orlando missed the postseason after being
bounced in the first round last year.